Maped Helix

What Maped Helix does

Maped Helix is the UK commercial subsidiary of Maped SAS, a French manufacturer of school supplies, stationery, and creative activity products founded in 1947. Operating under the legal entity Helix Trading Limited (company number 7892742), the UK arm markets an extensive catalogue of consumer stationery and creative products including colouring pencils, writing instruments, geometry sets, food containers, and activity kits. The product range spans multiple sub-brands including Helix Oxford (educational instruments), Maped Creativ (creative arts), Maped Picnik (food and drink accessories), Color'Peps (junior colouring), Joustra (toys), and Jungle Fever (licensed characters), with co-branded collections featuring Harry Potter and Pringles. Notable proprietary technology includes the Infinity self-sharpening coloured pencil system, a patented snap-fit folding hinge mechanism, and the Lumi Board writing tablet.

The company sells through a multi-channel distribution model combining mass-market retail (Sainsbury's, Waitrose, The Range), e-commerce platforms (Amazon and a direct storefront listing 234 SKUs), B2B wholesale distributors, and charitable partners. Manufacturing is handled by the parent group, with the UK entity primarily serving commercial and marketing functions. Recent product launches have emphasised accessibility and sensory inclusion, exemplified by the Oxford Vision maths set co-developed with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and the Kidy Learn Concentration range developed in collaboration with child psychiatrist Dr Michael Guetta. The product portfolio is supported by FSC-C156374 sustainable forestry certification, BSCI ethical sourcing covering over 90% of suppliers, and ISO 9001 quality management.

Maped Helix monetises through wholesale and direct-to-consumer sales of branded consumer goods across back-to-school, creative arts, and gift channels. Its CSR positioning is anchored by the 1% For Education Fund established in 2021, channeling a portion of revenue to educational initiatives, and a public commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by one-third by 2026. Brand activation is reinforced through experiential partnerships with family-oriented operators including PGL, Butlin's, and the 2025 Gloworm Festival. Parent group leadership is held by CEO Jacques-Antoine Lacroix, with Rebecca Ostrowski serving as Marketing Executive for the UK subsidiary.

Name

Maped Helix

Legal name

Helix Trading Limited

Website

https://mapedhelix.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Maped Helix is the UK subsidiary of French stationery manufacturer Maped SAS, selling school supplies, creative products, and food accessories through major retailers including Sainsbury's, Waitrose, and The Range, serving families, students, and educational customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingswinford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. School and Office Supplies Sales: One-time product sales across multiple categories including school stationery, colouring products, writing instruments, office supplies, and creative activity kits. Products sold through retail partners, distributors, and direct e-commerce.
2. B2B/Wholesale Distribution: Bulk sales to distributors, dealers, and retailers through B2B portal and catalogue distribution. Professional services including product catalogues provided to trade customers.
3. Maped Picnik Food Container Sales: Sale of food-safe containers including water bottles, lunch boxes, and snack boxes made from food contact-compliant materials (polypropylene, ABS, tritan, borosilicate glass, stainless steel).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Maped Helix is described in the input as a UK-based subsidiary of Maped SAS (France) that manufactures and distributes school stationery, colouring products, writing instruments, and creative activity kits for children. No further detail on specific product lines, pricing, or service offerings was provided.

Product overview

Maped Helix is a manufacturer of school supplies, stationery, and creative activity products, operating as part of the Maped group founded in France in 1947. The company offers a diverse portfolio organized into product universes: School (pencil sharpeners, erasers, drafting tools, compasses, scissors, pencil cases, calculators), Colouring (felt tips, colour pencils, colour crayons, painting supplies), Writing (pencils, highlighters, fineliners, pens, permanent markers), Play and Creations (early age activities, colour experiences, fashion, artistic, modeling, drawing, activity kits, drawing machines), Office (staplers, hole punches), and Bags and Backpacks. Key product lines include the innovative Maped Color'Peps Infinity self-sharpening coloured pencils (lasting 10x longer than standard), Oxford Vision Maths Set developed with RNIB for accessibility, Creativ Lumi Board lightbox for drawing education, and Kidy Learn Concentration sensory stationery for children with attention difficulties. The company also offers licensed collections including Harry Potter, Jungle Fever, and Pringles branded products. The portfolio spans individual items like the Helix Compact Maths Set and Airbrush Maker creative kit to comprehensive sets like the Oxford Complete School Stationery Set. Maped Helix is committed to sustainability through FSC-certified materials and BSCI-certified manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Helix Oxford: School stationery brand including maths sets, compasses, and drafting tools
• Maped Creativ
• Maped Picnik
• Joustra

Quantifiable outcome

• Infinity coloured pencils last 10 times longer than standard coloured pencils
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with RNIB to develop the Oxford Vision Maths Set - an accessible maths set featuring large print graduations raised 0.5mm to match braille specifications, high contrast black and yellow design, and non-slip pads for students with visual impairments.
• Dr Michael GuettaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChild psychiatrist who provided expert input on research surrounding attention and concentration disorders to inform the Kidy Learn Concentration sensory stationery range.
• The Way Youth ZoneminorOthersYouth zone in Wolverhampton serving young people aged 8-18. Maped Helix donated £5,000 worth of music equipment including electric guitars, acoustic guitars, drum kit and amps.
• Phase TrustminorOthersYouth organisation working across Dudley Borough providing programmes for children and young people. Maped Helix helped renovate a therapy room for vulnerable young people.
• In Kind DirectminorOthersLeading UK product-giving charity redistributing donated goods to communities in need. Distributed 120,000 shatter-proof rulers to 176 charitable organisations.
• School in a BagminorOthersUK charity providing rucksacks filled with essential learning tools to disadvantaged and displaced children. Maped Helix assembled 100 school bags with Helix Oxford Cyber Eco Maths Sets.
• The Shechem AssociationminorOthersAssociation supporting education throughout French-speaking Africa. 1% For Education Fund supports school construction in Senegal and employee volunteers participated in building workshops.
• Ma Chance Moi AussiminorOthersAssociation in Chambéry helping children from disadvantaged suburbs succeed in school. 1% For Education Fund supports programme development with over 200 children aged 5-16.
• Grandir et CréationminorOthersAnnecy association supporting parents and educators in connecting children to nature. Maped contributed financial support to Festival des Jeunes en Action through 1% For Education Fund.
• PGL TravelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for National Stationery Week competition (May 2025) offering PGL Family Adventure Holiday as main prize worth over £400 including 3-night camping stay and festival access.
• Butlin'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInfinity Hunt competition prize partner offering family holiday prize including four-night break to Butlin's resorts with all-inclusive drinks, VIP passes, and premium dining.
• Micro ScootersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInfinity Hunt competition prize partner offering 10 scooter and helmet bundles plus 10 backpacks as prizes.
• Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompetition prize partner offering 10 family passes to UK's largest tropical butterfly paradise.
• Booghe ToysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompetition prize partner offering £100 gift vouchers (£50 online, £50 for VR experience and café) from Birmingham toy store.
• Odeon CinemasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInfinity Hunt competition prize partner offering £25 gift vouchers for family cinema trips.
• All Jigsaw PuzzlesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompetition prize partner offering three epic jigsaw puzzle bundles worth £50 each including Natural History Museum colouring puzzles.
• The Puppet CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompetition prize partner offering backpack with surprise finger puppet bundles.
• Gloworm FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Gloworm Festival 2025 featuring Creative Play Zone with Maped arts and crafts activities, plus competition offering arts bundle and 2026 family ticket.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BIC: Global manufacturer of writing instruments, stationery, and shavers sold across mass retail and B2B channels. Comparable to Maped in writing instruments (pens, highlighters) and back-to-school distribution.
• Pentel: Japanese manufacturer of premium pens, pencils, markers, and art supplies sold globally through stationery and art channels. Comparable to Maped's Writing and Colouring product lines.
• Sakura Color Products: Japanese manufacturer of fine art and creative supplies (notably Pigma Micron fineliners). Comparable in colouring, writing, and creative arts categories Maped addresses through Color'Peps and Creativ ranges.
• Faber-Castell: Global family-owned manufacturer of premium writing, colouring, and art products with extensive distribution in schools, stationery, and creative segments. Directly comparable to Maped across coloured pencils, school kits, and creative activity products.
• Stabilo: German manufacturer of writing instruments (notably highlighters and fineliners) and creative products with strong European and global school retail presence. Comparable to Maped's Writing and Colouring universes.
• Crayola: Iconic children's colouring and creative products brand (owned by Hallmark). Comparable to Maped Color'Peps, Maped Creativ, and Jungle Fever in targeting children's art and creative play markets.
• Staedtler: German manufacturer of pencils, pens, erasers, compasses, and technical drawing instruments with a strong global school and office stationery presence. Closely matches Maped's drafting-tools and school-supply portfolio.
• Tombow: Japanese manufacturer of writing instruments, correction products, and adhesive tapes with growing global school and creative products presence. Comparable in writing instruments and creative kits.

Broad incumbents

• Newell Brands: US-based broad consumer products conglomerate owning Paper Mate, Parker, Sharpie, and Elmer's. Operates as a larger incumbent across many of the same stationery, writing, and creative categories as Maped.
• ACCO Brands: Owner of stationery and office brands including Five Star, Derwent, Swingline, and GBC. Competes with Maped Helix in school stationery sets and office/student product categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MapedHelix_UK
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAVFFnAnkU6UKT8C7kcANHA
• Facebookfacebook.com/MapedHelix
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maped-helix
• Instagraminstagram.com/maped_helix
• Pinterestpinterest.co.uk/mapedhelix

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maped Helix